Self-Erecting Structure

ABSTRACT

Self-erecting structures are disclosed herein. One such self-erecting structure includes a fabric portion, a first loop of resilient material, a second loop of resilient material coupled to the first loop, wherein the first and second loops are coupled to the fabric portion and are configured to provide structural support for the fabric portion when the structure is erected, and to allow the structure to be folded into a substantially smaller folded shape without decoupling the first loop from the second loop and without decoupling the first and second loops from the fabric portion, and wherein the fabric portion is configured to create an enclosed space when the structure is erected.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/837,785 entitled “Self-Erecting Structure”, the entirety of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to structures. The presentinvention more particularly relates to self-erecting structures.

BACKGROUND

Portable structures are quite widespread in use, both on a recreationallevel and for use in other applications, such as the military. Due tothe nature in which such structures are used, a portable structure mustbe lightweight, and yet able to withstand the forces of nature once itis erected. One problem with conventional portable structures is thatsuch portable structures must be assembled from a large number ofindividual components, including structural components, as well as thefabric covering of the structure. Because of the nature of thisinterdependence, the erection of most portable structures is atime-consuming and tedious task, which can be difficult to accomplish ininclement weather conditions, or in reduced lighting.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention is directed towards self-erectingstructures comprising a plurality of annular loops coupled to a fabricportion. In an embodiment, the plurality of annular loops comprise aresilient material and are configured to provide structural support forthe fabric portion to provide a structure suitable for one or moreoccupants, and also to allow the structure to be folded and storedwithout the need to decouple the annular loops from the fabric portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention may be better understood when the following DetailedDescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrammatic views of a self-erecting structureaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3-5 are photographs of a self-erecting structure according toembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a self-erectingstructure configure to provide a shelter for one or more people that iseasy to use and store. A self-erecting structure according to oneembodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of annular loops ofmaterial. The annular loops are configured to be coupled to a fabricportion to provide structural support for the fabric portion, thusproviding an enclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a self-erecting structure 100 accordingto the present invention is shown. The structure as shown comprises twoannular loops 110, 120. The structure 100 also comprises a fabricportion 130, which comprises two end portions 140, and a door 150. Loops110, 120 may be annular loops of a resilient material coupled to thefabric portion. The fabric portion 130 comprises sufficient material toprovide a covered enclosure for one or more occupants, as well as aportion 150 configured to be releasably engaged, for example with azipper or snaps, and operative as a door.

Loops 110, 120 are shown as defining planes that are substantiallynon-parallel, wherein loops 110, 120 cross at two points, one at eachend of the structure 100. By being deformed in generally opposingdirections, the tension created in each of loops 110, 120 may helpprovide structural support and definition for the structure.

Further, because in an embodiment loops 110, 120 comprise a flexiblematerial, it may be possible to fold the structure into a shape for easystorage, wherein the folded shape is substantially smaller than thefully-erected structure 100. For example, by bringing loops 110, 120into the same plane and twisting each wire, it may be possible to foldthe structure into a size capable of being stored within a backpack,pouch, or other container.

In an embodiment, an annular loop comprises a resilient material thatprovides support for the structure, but also allows the loop to deforminto shapes other than an annulus. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, aplurality of annular loops 110, 120 may be seen, though their generallyannular shape may be deformed. For example. in the embodiment shown, theannular loop has been deformed in the erected structure so as to providestructural support for the fabric portion.

The annular loops may be constructed of various materials known to thoseof skill in the art. For example, in an embodiment, the annular loopscomprise fiberglass. In another embodiment, the annular loops comprisevinyl polyester (“vinylester”), or polyester. Other materials may beused as well provided they possess the general quality of beingresilient and flexible.

In an embodiment, an annular loop may be constructed by using a singlelinear piece of material, such as fiberglass, comprising a first end anda second end. The linear piece of material may then be bent such thatthe first end and the second end may be coupled to each other, thusforming an annulus. In an embodiment of the present invention, the firstend and the second end may be coupled and the annulus deformed such thata single linear piece of material may be configured to form a pluralityof annuluses, such as a double or triple loop. A double or triple loopmay be advantageous in an embodiment for providing additional strengthand structural support. Annular loops according to various embodimentsof the present invention may comprise any number of loops so long as thematerial is capable of forming such number of loops.

Throughout the specification, reference to an annular loop means asingle piece of linear material that has been deformed to provide agenerally annular shape, even if the piece of material has been deformedto provide a plurality of loops as described above. Thus, an annularloop may comprise multiple loops, provided the loops are all formed fromthe same contiguous piece of material. However, if a single piece ofmaterial forms a plurality of loops, such loops need not be co-planar.

In an embodiment, a plurality of annular loops may be used to providestructural support for a fabric portion. In an embodiment, a first andsecond annular loop are used to provide structural support, wherein eachannular loop generally defines a plane. The planes defined by the firstand second annular loops are substantially non-parallel in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, however, in an embodiment, the pluralityof loops may be substantially parallel. As may be seen in FIGS. 3-5, thefirst and second annular loops 110, 120 are aligned such that they crossat a point at a first end and second end of the structure. The point atwhich the annular loops cross is not critical to the invention, nor mustthe annular loops cross at any point.

In an embodiment substantially as shown in FIGS. 3-5, first and secondannular loops are disposed within sleeves provided in the fabricportion. In an embodiment of the present invention, the annular loopsmay be coupled to the fabric portion with clips or hooks. In anotherembodiment a plurality of fabric tabs may be provided with opposingVelcro portions configured to loop over a portion of an annular loop andengage the Velcro portions to secure the annular loop. Various otherfasteners or fastening methods may be used and would be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art.

In an embodiment the fabric portion may comprise two portions ofmaterial coupled together. For example, a lower portion of the fabricportion may comprise a strong, wear-resistant material capable offunctioning well as the floor of a structure. A corresponding topportion may comprise a lightweight material, or even a mesh material,configured to allow airflow through the structure, while providingprotection from insects or other environmental conditions. In andembodiment, a lower portion comprises a material, such as a Nylontaffeta, which has been configured to be water resistant. In anembodiment of the present invention, the fabric is 190 count, 70 denier,and it meets CPA184 fire retardant standards, and it has a waterrepellent coating which exceeds 800 mm hydrostatic tests. In otherembodiments, different materials may be used. For example in anembodiment in which additional strength may be advantageous, a rip stopNylon can be used. In some embodiments, heat reflective material, orinsulating material may be advantageous.

In an embodiment, the material of a lower portion may form the floor ofa structure as well as sleeves configured to receive one or more annularloops. Accordingly, the lower fabric portion may prevent groundmoisture, rainwater, or other liquids or contaminants, such as mud,dirt, foliage or other material, from entering the structure.

In the embodiment, the upper fabric portion comprises a mesh material.The mesh material can be configured to have sufficient permeability toair to allow circulation of fresh air into the structure, whileproviding protection from insects. The permeability of the mesh may bevaried by changing the number of openings per unit of area (e.g. persquare inch) of the mesh. In an embodiment, the material comprising theupper fabric portion can be configured with an insect repellent tofurther provide protection from insects.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it should be recognized that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the unitizingelement and assembly of the present invention may be constructed andimplemented with other materials and in other ways and embodiments.Accordingly, the description herein should not be read as limiting thepresent invention, as other embodiments also fall within the scope ofthe present invention.

1. A structure comprising: a fabric portion; a first loop of resilientmaterial; a second loop of resilient material coupled to the first loop;wherein the first and second loops are coupled to the fabric portion andare configured to provide structural support for the fabric portion whenthe structure is erected, and to allow the structure to be folded into asubstantially smaller folded shape without decoupling the first loopfrom the second loop and without decoupling the first and second loopsfrom the fabric portion, and wherein the fabric portion is configured tocreate an enclosed space when the structure is erected.
 2. The structureof claim 1, wherein the first and second loops comprise fiberglass,vinylester, or polyester.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the firstloop and the second loop are formed from a single linear piece ofresilient material.
 4. The structure of claim 1, further comprising athird loop of resilient material coupled to at least one of the first orsecond loops, and coupled to the fabric portion to provide structuralsupport for the fabric portion when the structure is erected, and toallow the structure to be folded into a substantially smaller foldedshape.
 5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the fabric portion comprisesan upper fabric portion and a lower fabric portion.
 6. The structure ofclaim 5, wherein the upper fabric portion is configured to be waterresistant and fire resistant.
 7. The structure of claim 6, wherein thelower fabric portion defines a floor for the structure, and comprises awear-resistant material.